Michael Jackson's Dad Thinks He Did Him a Favor By 'Whipping' Him

No one would dispute that Michael Jackson was an emotionally troubled man. It wasn't just his changing appearance that worried lifelong fans. His music and some of his more candid interviews revealed just how sad he really was. Well, if you ever wondered why the King of Pop was so pained (especially when it comes to memories of his childhood), this will finally put that mystery to rest for you. His father Joe Jackson has revealed his philosophy on child abuse and it is beyond shocking to hear.

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According to Jackson, parents these days are "too soft," he said during a recent interview with Piers Morgan. "One of the reasons I say that is because kids nowadays are killing their parents in some cases. Let’s get into this ‘beating’ thing. There’s no such thing as ‘beating a kid.’ You whip them or punish them over something they did, and they will remember that. And they’ll remember it in such a way that they won’t do it again. That’s the way I was.”

Which is insane. What does he think whipping is if not beating them? It’s that warped definition that is responsible for some of his kids being so troubled, so unhappy. Of course he is not an anomaly. There are plenty of people who senselessly beat their children and think they are not causing any damage. Fact of the matter is, it is not the clear-cut answer. Besides, there is no clear research that hitting a kid is an effective deterrent. Yes, they will grow up fearful of you, scared of you. That may curb some of the naughty behavior, but at what ultimate cost? I don't want my child to be frightened of me or be worried every time he does any little thing wrong. I imagine most parents do not.